Sure, it was juvenile and impractical, but welcome to the world of fashion. We had less of an issue with those aspects of the design and more of an issue with the fact that it looks so stereotypically Kenley. If she hasn’t made this exact garment for Project Runway before, then she’s made plenty with all or any of the elements here – and we’re 100% sure it’s a garment she’s made plenty of times outside of Project Runway. Basically, it’s the equivalent of Rami sending a draped goddess gown down that runway – it feels like she phoned it in. It’s impeccably made, though.

Mondo’s suffered from the same problem – it’s just a bit too Mondo in the sense that you’ve seen it before and you know he’s made it before. This is a problem generally with the All-Stars, all of whom have trick bags full of past garments that they keep pulling out, but it was especially noticeable in these two entries.

And this look suffers from the same issues that many of Mondo’s looks do; namely that it requires Mondo himself to come in and style it. More than half of the look comes down to styling. Take away the bag, jewelry, sunglasses, retro hair and makeup, and you have two pieces; one pair of shorts we’ve seen from Mondo more than once, and a shapeless, kind of underdesigned top. It’s not a bad look, but these pieces just aren’t very strong. And his weepiness over getting some minor criticism was more than a little eyeroll-inducing. Go ahead and slap your mother’s name on it if you think it’s going to get you the win, but don’t act like they spit on her when they criticized your garment. He’s been on the reality show merry-go-round enough to know how it works, so we got the distinct impression (overwhelming, actually) that the tears were for the camera.

I wouldn’t wear Kenley’s, and I despise rompers (gag), but I do think it’s really cute. Very junior, for which she should have been called out, seeing as how Mondo was called out for the same thing. But now that I’ve had another look at the romper, I can definitely see it appealing to teenagers, and girls in their early 20s.

Anonymous

I think 90% of the women who shop at ModCloth would jump at the chance to own it. I can see them composing a twee little story about buying balloons at the zoo in your polka dot romper already…

Anonymous

I’m just curious….if Kenley’s design had been separates, shorts and a top, instead of a one-piece romper how would people feel about it? I’m in the camp that dislikes rompers and jumpsuits just because of the bathroom factor so I’m wondering if people of the size and the age to get away with the look would have worn her design were it separates.

Anonymous

That would surely make it more practical, but from all the comments I’m getting the vibe that what people really also HATE are the large polka dots. So call me twee if you want (although I prefer eclectic), I still think it’s cute. But if there are NO fasteners a gal would have to be Houdini to wrestle her design in the bathroom.

Anonymous

And then sit there all exposed and cold. Rompers were in style big time when I was 11 and I learned my lesson then. 😛

I loved Mondo’s shorts, but the top needed a bit more structure to work with them. The loose top was just that much too big and flowy to work. Kenley’s? It was cute enough, and certainly addressed the challenge as given. Perhaps a bit too childlike for my taste.

I remember when Kenley came into the competition first time round, I had high hopes for her as I think her clothes do represent a trend that has been consistently popular over the last few years out in the world but that is under-represented on Project Runway. However, I don’t think she is pushing that trend in any new directions. Worse, I think my big issue with Kenley’s outfit, and all of her outfits, is that I instinctively don’t like the girl who would want to wear them, or more specifically, I feel sorry for the girl who would want to wear them. It just makes me think of a young woman chomping at the bit to get on the infuriatingly popular 1950s housewife revival bandwagon and go and make cupcakes and watch burlesque shows in some make believe world where it was just fabulous to be a woman in the mid twentieth century. And that make believe world is the world of a fourteen year old girl, not a grown woman wanting to actually make her mark. The fact that Kenley keeps falling back on this very stereotypical idea of a 1950s young woman suggests that she is unable or unwilling to connect with the real world, certainly with the real world of fashion and adulthood. Her stubbornness about trying anything new is also testament to the problem, though I do think it was pretty hypocrytical of Mondo to criticise her for that given this week’s disappointing look from him. While her use of colour and her (overly) youthful looks should be joyful, to me they reek of anxiety and lack individuality, and that just means her clothes always make me feel a little sad and disconnected.

On the other hand, I also think she is hamstrung by the size of the models on Project Runway, as her looks would look far, far better, more fun and less childlike on more curvaceous women.

Its also so often difficult to sever the personality of the designer, from the work that they do on PR. Real world designers, we know nothing about as people, typically, so we have no read on their relative level of madness, irritability, or people skills. I find myself thinking of the classic American ready to wear designer of the 40s and 50s, Claire McCardell. Unlike Kenley, she was able to take the same youthful breezy attitude and give it style, grace and a true playfulness, that was in keeping with the minds, and lives, of adult women.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a great retro look. Done well, and with real class and attention to detail, (can you hear me Dita Von Teese?) its amazing and cool.

That’s true, though building on that, granted if I didn’t know anything about Kenley I would never see her clothes as sad, but I probably wouldn’t see them as anything at all. I imagine in a mock vintage store in East London (where I currently live) I’d glance once at her clothes and move on, because they are neither one way or the other and there are so many more exciting and more thoughtful garments in a similar vein out there. Someone with a less specific idea of what they wanted would probably buy them, but she’s never made something I can imagine would be cherished, or that someone would take home and spend hours trying out with every other garment and accessory they have to see what looks best because they’re so excited about it. In a design competition the phrase “someone would probably buy it” is hardly high praise (though the way the judges pull it out sometimes you’d never guess). it’s why I find myself shouting in frustration at Kenley more than anyone else on the show, because I believe a strong POV is in there somewhere and she just isn’t letting it out.

To make an impact (and to really celebrate her own personality) she’d either really need to push hard on the tomboy element, get rid of the silly bows and pleats, harden the lines, thicken the fabric and make something tailored, edgy and rough and tumble (there’s nothing I hate more than flimsy clothes), or try and make something almost defiantly sexy and be subversive with the styling (a trick Dita von Teese knows well and the main reason her looks don’t feel outdated – that and the no doubt obscene expensiveness of everything she wears). Though as I said before, her clothes could only really be sexy on larger women with some actual presence – on a group of women selected because they look prepubescent, her clothes just enhance their shapelessness and make them seem bland and weightless. Though it’s hardly surprising given how hard she relies on the fashion of the 50s, which obviously wasn’t designed with super skinny women in mind.

“I’d glance once at her clothes and move on, because they are neither one way or the other and there are so many more exciting and more thoughtful garments in a similar vein out there. ”

Exactly! There is something that feels slightly bland about what she’s producing. It’s cute but wouldn’t really grab you as seen on a rack and seen on a model makes you say “that’s nice” and move on to the next designer. She’s being edited at so exuberant and loud that I don’t understand why this isn’t showing up in her designs.

I am probably the type of person that Kenley is designing for. I enjoy classic/vintage styles, not because I want to emulate a mid-century housewife, but because I like the modest but elegant shapes and lines and the tailoring. I find these types of clothes to be flattering to my body type as well. However, I do not actually like Kenley’s interpretation of the style because like her, her pieces come off as quite loud and young. I agree that she would do very well as a junior’s designer, but I would not actually wear her pieces as an adult woman. Despite the vintage aesthetic, they do not have the timeless/classic beauty that I generally look for when I am looking for a piece to add to my wardrobe.

skatebetty

I think judging a designer’s brain based on her design niche is a bit much. I love Kenley’s personal look, I kind of like the stuff she sells on her website, I disliked most of her stuff in her season, and I like much of her stuff with All Stars. I love vintage, my rockabilly friends love vintage, and I assure you that we all have jobs, we’re all feminists, none of us are longing for more patriarchy, and I myself would love someone else to do the housework.

I agree that she’s not pushing her retro looks into new territory. I think she’s a decent designer, but she’s not innovative enough for this competition.

Isadora Paiva

I have the same problem with both these outfits: they’re juvenile, expected (from the designers who made them), and they’re not that interesting, design-wise. The thing is, why were these criticism only uttered by the judges when it came to Mondo? Hearing them call his outfit junior when Kenley’s was right there was a bit ridiculous.

JocastaDeVilleneuve

Exactly! Seriously, Mondo’s outfit had issues, but the black-and-white separates with neon pops of colour being called “too juvenile”, while the powder blue-and-white polkadot romper is chic wear for adult women?!? Whatever.

I honestly felt that these were both pieces that should have been “safe”, not in the top nor the bottom.

Kenley’s I supposed was a bit better looking, but how many adult women would really wear that, especially in that fabric? It’s like she designs pieces for 12 year olds with a 20-something’s body and wallet.

They were both “safe”, effectively-it was simply that they didn’t have a middle ground this challenge, but talked to all 8 designers. But both were sent out pretty quick after the discussion-which makes Mondo’s breakdown even more unreasonable. He wasn’t at risk of being sent home.

YOu shouldn’t choose a print that bold and in need of matching-up for a garment that is going to have tons of seams. it just looked cheap. And rompers, ech. the need to strip naked to pee keeps most every woman from actually wearing these things.

Anonymous

It’s hard, but far from impossible. And even if she matched the more visible seams in the front, and had several faults along the back, I’d get it. But it doesn’t seem like she put in the effort to line up the fabric at all — it doesn’t match anywhere.

Lisa

But again, the time constraints on this show don’t allow for that kind of perfection. I know, you could argue “Then don’t use that pattern”, which is fair. But since she did use that fabric, lining up the polka dots isn’t something they can really do.

Anonymous

I didn’t realize until I saw TLo’s pictures that the romper had a set-in waistband. That made one more unnecessary seam to show the mismatched pattern. If she had just one waist seam there would be fewer partial dots and she could have put a belt on to cover the waist seam so the mismatch wouldn’t matter there. Or better yet, if she had made the romper with no waist seam using princess seaming to shape it, perhaps the mismatched pattern wouldn’t have been so noticeable.

Anonymous

The waist is worst in the long shot where you can’t tell it’s a seam and it looks like the fabric is just scrunched together

This so much. Especially the color scheme – very – “nighty nighttime clouds!”

Anonymous

Exactly. And I can’t believe so many people are saying girls in their early twenties would wear it. I am 22 and I would look ridiculous in something like that. And I have been known to like clothes that are labeled “twee as fuck” by most here.

But there are probably plenty of girls in their early 20s who would wear it, although that friggin’ bow needs to go right this second.

Anonymous

I think if you remove one or two of the overly cutesy elements, like the bow or the peter pan-esque collar, it would be vastly improved. Or if it were a dress rather than a romper, I would actually like it quite a bit. But with the color, the print, the collar, the bow and the fact it is a romper, it reads very, very young.

You are most likely correct that there are probably girls my age who would wear it. It’s just not something I can imagine on myself or any of the young ladies I associate with. But I tend to be a bit judgmental when it comes to how my peers dress. I deserve a good slap half the time. 🙂

Heh. We all deserve a good slap on occasion. I’m often horrified by the clothing choices made by women my age, and younger. Like, did they wake up at 40 and decide that unironically dressing like a sister-wife is the way to go?

I do get what you’re saying, though. I think it’s really easy to make generalizations about people’s taste and style based on their age. I’m old enough to be a grandmother (I have a great-niece who started college this past August), but I wouldn’t be caught dead in most of the clothes that are branded “grandma clothes” here. I’ve toned down the way I dress considerably as I’ve gotten older, but the basic style is still there, i.e. a lot of what Mila designs.

All that to say I hope you didn’t think I was assuming that all women in their early 20s would like Kenley’s romper. It does read very young, but, to me, not so young that the wearer and 20 other kids will be having nap time and a snack in the middle of the day. On the other hand, that’s not a bad way for anyone’s day to go. 🙂

I’d like that day personally. I don’t think I’d like it enough to wear that romper, but….

Anonymous

No one over the age of 6 should wear that.

Anonymous

I think Kenley’s is too junior for my 6 year old…

Andreas Plaianu

Kenleys wasn’t well made in my opinion….Georgina was really right to critisize the matching of the pattern, she didn’t pay attention to that at all and it just gives me the hives looking at it!

Anonymous

And those waist seams look wavy as hell.

Anonymous

I would never wear Kenley’s or Mondo’s pieces. Kenley’s would require me to freeze if I had to use a public restroom. I wore those rompers when I was a child and they’re highly impractical. Yes, perhaps fashion is impractical, but when the judges say stuff like any girl would want to wear that, I roll my eyes. I think Mondo is just incredibly sensitive about things. I didn’t think the criticism warranted the emotional reaction he gave, but it fits in the context of Mondo.

And besides, Mondo delivered THE BEST line of the evening: “it’s like having dinner at my house” when Jerrell walked into the break room. For that, he gets my reality-TV blessing for his crying fit.

That line was choice! And I agree he (Mondo) seemed especially sensitive. He seemed worn down too.

Anonymous

IIRC, he had a hard time around the halfway point of his first season, as well. I think that his personality isn’t especially suited to reality TV and he’s forcing himself to fit the mold, which means he’s going to crack a bit at some point. I do wonder if he played up his reaction for the cameras, but I think it came from a genuine starting place.

Eh, Kenley’s disregard for the patterned fabric she used is kind of a strike against that “impeccably made” thing. If you’re really not gonna bother trying to work with the polka dots, I’m sure there were prints with less obviously repetitive designs. It just seems novice and lazy.

Anonymous

I don’t know how many times it needs to be said, but it is virtually impossible to match polka dots when designing/sewing.

What I said was, she disregarded the pattern, and I stand by that. I don’t think she designed or cut this with that patterned fabric in mind, which is amateur.
I don’t think she bothered to make the polka dots work for her, or designed or patterned in such a way that used them effectively.
What it comes down to is I think that she needed to use a different print, or redesign to incorporate her patterned fabric a bit better. This was not a design for big graphic polka dots.

Anonymous

OK, good points made. Maybe I’m just not as bothered by the polka dots as everyone else. Probably partly because I love that shade of blue.

Anonymous

While I have no doubt that’s true, shouldn’t it still be regarded as a design flaw if someone attempts to make an outfit that’s almost certainly going to actively expose this problem? In other words, save the polka dots for circle-skirts, draping, or outfits with simple seams at the sides and back, and use a fabric more conducive to camouflage when you’re doing a lot of work with darting on the front of the outfit.

Lisa

Plus, let’s see anyone line up polka dots given those time constraints.

Anonymous

Operating within those time constraints is part of the competition. The “Queen of Polka Dots” should have known it would turn out with the mismatched patterns looking so weird, and done something to minimize the effect.

Anonymous

Since the designers knew this was another one day challenge, Kenley could have chosen a different fabric, but the girl loves dots-therefore I think it’s fair to take her to task for that decision.

I have relatively little sympathy for her on that. This is not the first time she’s used polka dots — she knows what she’s getting into when she chooses them.

Anonymous

I still say I think it’s clear that Mondo’s would NOT have been in the bottom 3 if it was a non head-to-head competition round. I think all he heard was that he was the “loser”, and took it to mean that they “hated it”. I don’t think they did hate it, they just liked Kenley’s that much better, especially after seeing something similar from Mondo the week before. As eye-roll inducing as it was, I think Mondo just reacted in a raw/emotional way. It didn’t seem manipulative, just misguided…

Anonymous

What I don’t understand is why the fashion world sneers at anything looking like it might be Junior wear? No, seriously. During his season I thought Mondo could become a superstar of stratospheric levels by tapping the preteen and teen crowd that has access to their parents’ money and a slight (cough) obsessive streak — you know, the kids who dial American Idol 10,000 times in one night, or swoon over the Twilight franchise, or who have made Taylor Swift the single richest singer on the planet. That is not to denigrate his work in any way or say he can’t and doesn’t also do things adults would wear. But I really thought when the Missoni for Target things (for Juniors and adults) sold out in one day the industry might have finally taken notice.

Anonymous

If you are going to design moderate or budget priced sportswear (and lets face it that is were most designers end up) . The Junior market is way more fun and fashion/trend/fad driven. The missy moderate/budget market is deadly boring.

Anonymous

As someone who tries to find something interesting and flattering to wear in the missy moderate market, I heartily concur.

Anonymous

Because it’s a design competition and the “junior” comment basically means not quite refined or sophisticated enough. Kind of the opposite of Rami’s problem–Rami’s never junior, but can overwork his stuff and pick drab fabrics.

But the minutes on your cell aren’t, and that particular example speaks more to the obsessive streak than the money:)

MilaXX

I’ve had a feeling for quite some time now that we’re being set up for a Mondo redemption arc and win. Those crocodile tears didn’t help dispute that feeling.

Anonymous

Yep, it’s stations of the fashion cross right now.

Anonymous

EXCELLENT way to describe the obligatory and ritualized moments on the runway!

Anonymous

I kind of don’t why so many posters have hated Kenley’s and loved Mondo’s looks. To me they look like they are for the same customer. Both looks are quite young. Her’s looks like it came from the Sears And Roebuck catalog circa 1946 under the header “Play Clothes” sold with a matching button front knee length skirt.
Mondo’s looks like it came out of the Simplicity sewing line from 1985 1 hour /1yard line.

I think Summer is more difficult than Fall or Winter to come up with high fashion weekend wear because of the bareness factor. Shorts never look high fashion to me. I didn’t think the critique they gave Mondo was all that harsh. Didn’t it boil down to “close call” but Kenley wins (for summer). I mean they gave her criticisms too. I suppose the most puzzling aspect for Mondo was last week they loved the exact same pair of shorts out of a slightly different black and white fabric w/o the pockets.
Personally I do like Kenley’s better, but not by much.

Courtney Hellams

My main criticism for Kenley’s outfit is you would NEVER see a grown ass woman wearing that. Not only that, but if you did see someone wearing that if they had anything other than a model’s body (or a child’s body, as it were) it would look horrendous. That fabric and that print would be so terribly unflattering on anything over a size 0.

At least Mondo made separates that someone of any size could pair with other things. The shirt would like nice with a pair of jeans and a camisole underneath, for example. And it would look nice on a variety of body types and shapes. Kenley only designs for the imaginary ten-year old in her head.

Anonymous

I agree that Kenley’s outfit would only look good on someone with a well proportioned slim figure.

But I strongly disagree that black and white checkered short shorts and a fluttery crepe short waistband skimming short top would would look good on a variety of body types. I think probably the same variety that would look good in Kenley’s/.

Courtney Hellams

Which is why I said that the separates would look good on a variety of types…. A larger girl could easily wear that loose flowy top with a cami underneath it and a killer pair of jeans. Or if you have really toned legs, wear the short shorts, a plain top and some killer heels.

Whereas Kenley’s is…a romper that you can’t separate at all with a seam running directly across the midsection.

Anonymous

So if you took away the shorts completely and added an underpiece to the top, and a completely different bottom to Mondo’s it would work for a variety of body types?
To that I would say what if you added a button front over skirt or a longish solid color jacket to Kenley’s?

Courtney Hellams

But to me, that’s the beauty of seperates. You are allowed to (and encouraged) to pair runway separates with other things to make them actually wearable. With rompers (and dresses and other one-piece-type outfits) though, you can’t really…change it. Does that make sense?

Absolutely disagree — you merely don’t HAVE to pair it with something else. But there are MANY ways to change such a piece. Jackets are my personal favorite, but that might have something to do with my strange jacket obsession in general.

Anonymous

But this wasn’t a real-woman competition. The outfit is supposed to look good on a model–and it did, in a twee way. That said, a petite girl could also wear Kenley’s more readily than Mondo’s, which would overwhelm anyone small and short. To me, the two were six of one . . . because Mondo’s was so close to last week’s, I think Kenley’s popped a little more to the judges–it was more memorable in its context–i.e. didn’t like the other stuff, was a bit bolder in pattern choice. Though Kenley does use those damned polka dots.

Lisa

Yup – I agree with you. I think both outfits are going to be tough on anyone except taller and thin.

Gotta disagree with the second part. I’m a plus size gal and one of my favorite silhouettes is short shorts and an oversized top. It actually flatters my figure very nicely, giving a hint of my curves without clinging to every dip and swell and letting me show off my legs for a bit of skin. I would wear Mondo’s outfit in a heartbeat.

Anonymous

I respectfully disagree. I have a cute picture of myself at age 33 wearing a romper. It was easier to wear than Kenley’s would be, as it was a stretchy knit in a cream color with a v neck, made out of a ribbed terry fabric. I loved it and wore it for a couple of summers. I was more of a size 8 than a size 0 too. The only thing with Kenley’s is that I can’t figure out HOW someone would get in and out of it.

Courtney Hellams

Again, I said that you would never find a grown woman wearing Kenley’s romper…not a romper of any kind. In a different material or even a different print, it would work but that print in that fabric would just not be very forgiving.

Anonymous

Though (forgive me for noticing!) what you’ve indicated about your current age says that the size 8 you wore at 33 would most likely clock in at about a size 4, today.

Anonymous

You’re forgiven 😉
Alas, my romper would not fit me today, whatever the size. If only. And currently I’ve got enough good sense to never even consider another romper again.

Sears…exactly. Took the words right off my keyboard. Not only with matching skirt, but matching pattern for your Skipper doll.

Lisa

I think, honestly, a lot of the criticism comes from the personalities – fans don’t like Kenley, and they do like Mondo. I think it’s more human nature than honest to god, unbiased opinions.

Courtney Hellams

I really don’t like Mondo’s personality all that much either lol. But my size 12 ass would be able to at least wear his top, if not both pieces paired with other things. There is no way in HELL I could wear Kenley’s!

Lisa

(*Size 12 High Five!*) I’m a size 12 too! I didn’t like either outfit that much, and I sure as hell KNOW I couldn’t wear them either, sister! 🙂

Anonymous

I hate rompers on anyone but a toddler, but if granny panties can rule the runway, why not this? I love the polka dots, the color, and the collar of Kenly’s outfit, and agree with everything you say. The girl can sew, though, that’s for sure.

I didn’t actually watch, so I cannot comment on Mondo’s hissy fit, mercifully, but I think his outfit is cute, if been-there-done-that. From the photos, it doesn’t seem like anyone is really breaking ground with any of their entries, so that can hardly be held against him.

Anonymous

Kenley’s clothes all look like they were designed for Kenley.

Is that a big demographic?

Anonymous

I know people are going to throw things at me…. but I kinda loved Kenley’s outfit. It was playful and fresh. Yes, it can seem a little juvenile, but I thought it was part of its vintage charm. It seems so Katy Keene (will anyone get that reference?) And while I usually love Mondo, his look was a pair of shorts with a loose top with a ton of accessories. And the hairstyle he picked for his model seemed an intentional way to mock Kenley and her aesthetic.

Could YOU sew up any kind of tailored outfit and have the polka dots match on the seams?

Lisa

That’s the thing – I know there’s not a lot of love for Kenley among the fans, but it feels incredibly like she’s being called out for something that no one on this show has been able to do – line up polka dots. So, okay, you could say, “don’t use that pattern, then”, which is actually a fair point. But I never noticed any kind of outrage when Rami’s dots on the Miss Piggy dress didn’t line up – the judges mentioned it for both outfits, but the fans seem to only be saying it about Kenley’s. Quite simply, you can’t line up polka dots perfectly on any outfit if the fabric is going to be cut and then sewn, not with the ridiculous time constraints that this show gives them. If you wanted to be a real perfectionist, and you had all the time in the world, then sure, maybe it’s possible to figure out if this piece with that piece make the dots line up. But in this situation, I feel she’s being unfairly criticized for something none of them can really do on PR because they have so little time.

Now, the criticism about her outfit looking like it was for a child – that I get! 🙂

For me, it’s less about the dots lining up and more about them not being taken into consideration. If the patterning was symmetrical (and it was ever made in my size), I might wear Kenley’s romper, despite my dislike of her.

Anonymous

Polka dot mismatch over a seam or two in a big dress is very different from half a dozen mismatches in Kenley’s tiny romper, in which every imperfection is going to be magnified because the garment as a whole is so small. His didn’t really distract from the whole design, while hers does. It doesn’t matter to me if nobody has really matched the pattern well on the show previously; it only matters whether THIS designer made it work on THIS outfit. And she didn’t. The mismatch really is distracting, and it is a fair thing to criticize, imo.

Anonymous

Didn’t Mondo line up his polka dots on that dress Heidi liked? Granted, he had a heckuva lot more time to make it.

Lisa

Exactly – more time being the issue. That gown was in his collection for Fashion Week – he had a couple of months to make sure the polka dots lined up, not a day or two.

Anonymous

Didn’t Bert Keeter manage to make a large print on a dress he made work where a seam ran through it? I think it was that gear design and there was a princess seam that ran right through one of the prints and what he did was cut a partial of the print out of leftover fabric and applique it in place so you couldn’t tell there was a seam cutting through it without very close inspection. It does take some time and I don’t know if a legit designer would actually do that but it is a way to make a large print work on a seamed garment. To do that on all of Kenley’s partial polka dots would be impractical, though.

It’d probably be easier to just cut it to avoid the dots at the seams — go for the negative space in between. Though I don’t know if that would be doable.

Anonymous

I found it interesting that Kenley got called out for her mismatched polka dots while Rami’s Piggy dress didn’t (well, actually, it gives me hope Rami’s was called out and we just lost that due to editing). Again, I understand why, under the circumstances, they might not be able to match up their dots, but that should be something that goes into their fabric selection, imho. End random pet peeve.

I honestly think these are both cute. I also think they’re lucky they were up against each other in Battle Twee, because if either of them had been up against a super-sophisticated look, I bet they would have been in trouble.

Anonymous

I thought Rami was called out about his mismatched polka dots, but that might have only been in my home.

Anonymous

Ha. I know he was called out in my living room, too. At great length. 🙂 At least his print was a little more widely-spaced the Kenley’s. Still.

Call me Bee

No–not only at your home. One of the judges mentioned the polka dots not matching at the skirt darts. Which is almost impossible to do. You could take the time to match polka dots at a long seam because all prints, including dots, have a pattern and repeat to them, but doing it on darts really is not possible.

Isadora Paiva

They were both called on it by Georgina, who said the exact same thing to both “it throws my eye a bit”.

Anonymous

Huh. I’ll have to rewatch. Unless that was in extended judging? Good on Georgina, in any case.

Anonymous

Seriously, who wear those shorts? Sorry, they are impractical.

Anonymous

I don’t particularly like either. Kenley’s looks like a little girl who is growing out of her favorite outfit and just doesn’t want to give it up. Regardless of how ridiculous you look in it because you’re 7 trying to wear a romper you’ve had since you were 3. *eye roll* and Mondo’s is ho-hum…NEXT!!!!

Anonymous

This times 1000. this is exactly what I couldnt put my finger on about kenley’s romper being way the fuck off. Not only was it twee.as.fuck. but besides being too minnie (mouse) it also looked entirely *too* mini for any grown woman, never mind one that was all legs and arms like her model. Especially with that high waist seam too. It felt, as my old west indian aunties would say, “short of cloth”– as in, youve outgrown that shit so take it off! I remember having many of those moments being an all arms/legs stick figure growing up. I never thought I’d see the day where that shit got called high fashion.

mondo’s isnt the most revelatory or original yes. but against kenley’s it still reads as more interesting, and so its puzzling to me why it was on the bottom of the faceoff.

Courtney Hellams

imagining my boobs and hips in a freaking romper with big huge polka dots on it is just making me LOL. There is no way a woman with a little curve would be able to wear Kenley’s outfit.

When Mondo kept going on about this outfit being a tribute to his mother’s 60th birthday…and WEEPING because the judges didn’t appreciate that (did they even KNOW that?- as if it made any difference) well, my love for him took a nosedive. He’s just as calculating as everyone else. No wonder he’s playing so well with Michael.

I think he’s worn down. True, it was overreacting, but he was already “in a mood” when it started. I just refuse to believe he’s that calculating.

Anonymous

I don’t know why but I suspect as much as anything he was blindsided by the venom being spewed at him. At some point didn’t he say he thought he had this one in the bag? (Probably referring even more broadly to the challenge than just the head-to-head with Kenley.) He’s a more sensitive sort. I think the judges conflicting so dramatically with his own sense was as disorienting and emotionally totally threw him (and the fact that he had already mentioned his mother’s 60th birthday just became an easy go-to surface excuse for the outburst of emotion). I’m probably way misreading this though.

I agree with you. I could be making excuses due to my undying Mondo love, but the judges were really tough on him. I think Janie R. (above) is right. He’s worn down. There’s a lot of pressure for him to perform; also, he can be intractable and a little bitchy when he’s criticized. (See: his refusal to change the polka-dot dress in the finale) That’s probably his biggest fault.

Anyway, I think he overreacted, but I don’t believe he was playing to the cameras.

Anonymous

I disagree that Mondo’s tears were for the camera. I think he’s depressed about the machinations of the game and it got to him. When you’re away from the workroom, you can forget how grueling and destructive it can be. I think he signed up for a second go-around, hoping to finally take the win, and is now regretting his decision. As I said previously this week, I hope he got a good cry in and can now come back swinging.

Anonymous

Is Mondo’s styling helping his case or hurting it? For me, he’s 50/50 on getting the look right and I think it’s working against him.

I think the bangs hurt him. They’re way too literal. It doesn’t help that it looks like she has a piece of sausage stuck to her head.

mmmm….. sausage.

Anonymous

Well, the styling helped him with ME, but I don’t often track with the judges.

Anonymous

Love Mondo but not this outfit. It sure did feel like he pulled that “tribute to Mom” story out of thin air and the tears, oh please. His buddy Michael is rubbing off on him a bit.

Anonymous

Kenley’s outfit is adorable and if I were 5 I would love to wear it. Mondo’s is much more interesting and wearable. I hate the model’s bangs, but the rest of the accessories would be easy to put together. His moping about his mother was a little tiresome, but once again I think he was robbed.

I agree that both of these designers phoned it in, but on the other hand, I think that is the danger with a show like All Stars. The competitors are probably going to want to push their aesthetic and thus promote their current businesses.

I didn’t get the judges’ hate for Mondo’s outfit. I don’t think it deserved a win, to be sure, but I thought it was cute. When one of them used the word “juvenile” I winced. He was almost sent home over something deemed juvenile during his season.

And I was pretty pissed at Rowley after seeing her collection on this blog. Didn’t she rip him for that shirt? Then she had leather ones just like it in her collection?

Kenley’s I didn’t like at all. Talk about juvenile! But for some reason when it came down the runway, I thought, “Oh, the judges are going to love that for some reason.” I think the construction is wonky around that little waist band insert.

If this were a regular judging, I’d have put both of these in the middle, with Kenley scoring slightly lower than Mondo.

Anonymous

YES, I noticed the similarity to Rowley’s top to Mondo’s as well. Maybe she was pissed that he used something similar to hers and she was afraid his would get better reviews!

I have a feeling that Cynthia Rowley’s disdain for Mondo’s aesthetic and positive response to Kenley’s playsuit swayed the judging panel.. I think that if she wasn’t there, it would have gone the other way.

Anonymous

Kenley’s was pretty darn cute, but agreed it is pretty juvie…..you can NOT match polka dots up over seams like that- not a valid criticism.
Loved Mondo’s of course , but the top was straight out of the kwik sew catalog for beginners.

Mariah J

These two were pretty bland but Kenley needs to stop making the same thing. She’s not a designer–she’s a dressmaker, she has no business on this show.

I would have liked Kenley’s better if it hadn’t been a romper. Anything that short just doesn’t qualify for a jumpsuit It’s a romper, pure and simple. It would have been better as seperates, with the top out of different fabric. Though I will admit that it would look adorable on my three-year-old!

Oh! SHould have said, though, that the shorts are a bit too short, really for my baby girl to wear. I prefer longer shorts for her–less skin to get sunburned, and she looks her age….

Anonymous

I don’t think the Skipper doll hair did Mondo any favors. It does indeed seem as if he was phoning it in this week just as much as Kenley. I have to say Kenley has a more distinct POV this season, although it’s making for some predictable yawns. Both can do better.

Anonymous

I realize from the many comments that you can’t line up polka dots across seams. Nevertheless, I find them very disconcerting in Kenley’s outfit. Obviously, if she insisted on using that fabric, she could have come up with a different design where that mismatch wasn’t so noticeable or conversely, picked a different fabric if she insisted on that particular design. Even though his outfit was quintessentially Mondo, I quite liked it aside from some of the styling choices.

Anonymous

Actually, after reading this, I can finally understand why the judges gave “summer” to Kenley. If you accept that both looks are for juniors, then you can make a case that Kenley’s is cuter.

However, I don’t think Mondo’s look is necessarily a junior look while Kenley’s definitely is, so if you don’t accept that premise, the win isn’t as clear. But however you categorize them, Mondo’s look didn’t deserve the harshness of the criticism it received.

Anonymous

Kenley’s jumper belongs on the racks of Ann Taylor Loft. That said, it’s adorable. Everything she’s done this season has been impeccable and infinitely wearable. It’s almost as though she is developing a collection “Tiffany’s off to College!” All the looks have been tightly related and all designed with 19-year-old Tiffany in mind. While she certainly deserved to be safe, I was shocked that she made the top 2 because of this marked lack of originality.

Mondo’s shorts were fabulous…and I hate shorts. The top was unfortunate but not auf-worthy. His meltdown was the most unfortunate thing of the night.

The weird rankings seemed to be a function of the face-off format. Liked the idea in theory at the start, but it produced a skewed result.

Ha! I agree with everything you said about Kenley. It doesn’t even pain me anymore to praise her work. Except for that bizarre thing she designed for the first challenge, I’ve liked everything she’s made so far.

I think the tears were a product of him not being with his mom on her birthday and feeling guilty about it. Then when he didn’t win it felt like it wasn’t worth missing her birthday for and he felt even more guilty.

This is exactly how I interpreted it. I think the tears were real, and were not truly over the criticism, but over missing his family and specifically, his mom’s big birthday. If he won, he would feel like he did something for her despite not being with her. That he made something pretty crappy in her name probably just made him feel like an ass. I sympathized with him.

Lisa

Good points about both garments. Truthfully, I wasn’t wild about either of them. Even though Kenley’s was little girlish, my only *real* issue with it was that it looked a hair tight. Like – you’re fine when you put it on, but then after lunch, you’re uncomfortable all day.

Mondo’s really *was* kind of all over the place, but the criticism he received was, I think, harsher than what was warranted. And initially, I felt bad about the tears backstage because he seems so sweet. But you’re right – he really does need to suck it up. Just because he scored the lower out of that pair doesn’t mean he was anywhere near the bottom – he really needs to calm down. You didn’t see Austin or Rami freaking out, and they actually *were* the bottom two.

“Tlo said: And his weepiness over getting some minor criticism was more than a little eyeroll-inducing. Go ahead and slap your mother’s name on it if you think it’s going to get you the win, but don’t act like they spit on her when they criticized your garment.”

Hello! Thank you!

I’ve always rooted for Mondo but he’s REALLY starting to annoy me. I thought that stuff about his mom was just a ploy, right from the start. And don’t make mall clothes and the burst into tears when you get called on it on the runway.

As for Kenley’s: It really comes from (pretty much) the same place that Austin’s did.

–GothamTomato

Lattis

I thought that stuff about his mom was just a ploy
I hope that the “dedicating this outfit to my mom” gambit isn’t the beginning of Mondo’s trying to replay his first PR character arch as a deliberate strategy. Because I don’t see how he tops the drama of his revealing his HIV positive status. You can’t do big drama twice. The second time it’s obviously contrived. Besides which, what would top it?

Anonymous

Mondo’s shirt reminds me of a dalmation…

Victoria Sharoyan

Two cute looks from two of my favorite contestants, but I thought both suffered from poor proportions. I’m not digging the length on the front of Mondo’s top, and Kenley’s shorts were a skosh too short to balance out the size of those sleeves. And though I’m happy to shop there myself, for a design competition, it’s probably not good that both of these looks are pure Forever 21.

Anonymous

i don’t think that mondo is someone who plays to cameras. i think he’s very (sometimes overly) emotional and expressive. he took it so personally, i think, not because he was being a sore loser and would get more facetime, but because it was kind of humiliating that he dedicated it to his mom while he was talking to joanna, and then it was basically mocked by the judges. i think anyone with a softer heart would be hurt by that, and it is more difficult for someone like mondo to hold that in.

kenley’s is well-made, yes, but georgina was on-point about her criticism of the polka dots not lining up. when you see it, you can’t unsee it. suddenly it looks very forever 21 to me. i think she should have at least made separates. i’m really very unimpressed with kenley at this point. she’s memorized some retro butterick dress patterns, then adds a peter pan collar and red lipstick. i actually personally love vintage/retro looks, and would kill for kenley’s wardrobe, but i do not think she belongs with the remaining all-stars and really think rami should have stayed for his broader point-of-view and design sensibilities.

My daughter is 17 and has long legs. She looks great in these short shorts, but she wears them with tights, and styles the look from head to toe. If you wear short shorts and bare legs, and sit down, you will either stick to your seat or stand up with marks on the backs of your legs from whatever you are sitting on. I know, this is runway, but shorts this short are really only good for athletic wear or walking around the state fair.

Anonymous

I’m used to juvenile clothing in fashion, it is just a given…this is just on the ridiculous side and I think the color plays a lot into that. I had a, yes Minnie Mouse, romper for my daughter in that color with polka dots, for when she was two. If the neckline was different, it would make a heap of difference…a less pastely color? Honestly…don’t know. I like the color, I’ve worn a similar one but the combo of the romper, with that color, with the big polka dots (which I agree with Georgina on, Kenley if you are going to keep doing them, then do them correctly), with that neckline…it doesn’t smack of young women, teen or even tween…it smacks very much of infant wear to me.

I like Mondo’s shirt and I like his shorts, Mondo has always excelled at styling and he completely failed here. No his pieces were not that strong but they were good, the styling screwed him. It was very weird and not very Mondoish. It didn’t look modern at all. I got worried when he was getting the hair done, because that was a very Kenley thing. For some reason I think Mondo was very thrown by Kenley this week. Mondo just needs to focus on his style and his work, what he does best. He seems very lost to me this season so far, and I love him. I think he is very much feeling the pressure.

Anonymous

Kenley’s reminds me of nothing so much as the Berenstain Bears. E.g., http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/BEAR-FAMILY.jpg

Anonymous

Mama Bear!

Anonymous

If Kenley was called out on anything, it should have been for putting a back zip on a fitted romper, unless she planned to provide Depends with it.

In my younger days, I wore rompers, but they either had a front closure or the legs were wide enough to pull out of the way and access my panties for bathroom breaks.

BuffaloBarbara

Oh, I agree that the tears were for the camera. No argument at all. He kind of annoyed me.

My problem with Kenley’s romper is that it was ugly. I usually like her stuff, but this was just… fugly. I don’t think I’d have minded her winning the head-to-head (I wasn’t impressed with Mondo’s, either–like you said, the top was pretty underdesigned), but the pretense that it was so fabulous that everyone would want it made me roll my eyes until I got seasick.

Anonymous

Dear High Waisted Pants and Shorts,

Nothing personal, but please do not return.

Pleadingly,
Ben There

marilyn

Absolutely correct.

I think Mondo’s is less worse than Kenley’s. At least he is not designing for cartoon characters, but for real people. I think all that Kenley’s look needs is a giant black bow on the model’s head, and Minnie Mouse would snap it up. Also, how does one use the bathroom in Kenley’s out fit-by totally undressing? Or by Kenley putting snaps across the crotch, thereby making it the biggest onesie in history? The whimsey is no longer fresh. She really needs to design for HUMAN BEINGS who are ADULTS.

Anonymous

I was so irked my Mondo’s boo hoos, that I went from liking his little outfit, to liking Kenley’s more… ahh the power of persuasion!!

Neither look was very designed or innovative. Both were disappointing. I found Mondo’s more disappointing than Kenley’s, because I did like those polka-dots and I do know plenty of young women that would wear it (albeit perhaps ironically), and also because I expect more of Mondo as a designer.

Anonymous

I hate this romper. When she said “lots of girls would want to wear it”, my immediate thought was “sure, but they’re all under 3 years old”!

Anonymous

yup ‘girls’ yes, ‘women’, no. 🙂

Anonymous

My initial reaction was that model looks insanely cute/hot in that thing! Followed by; oh–
ridiculous; it’s a tiny ones-y. Where could an adult women wear this? To the beach? To a club? (God-help-her)
Not wearable. Fantasy. So it’s immediately relegated to classification: another runway-costume.
But so cute.

Cynthia Rowley was pretty harsh with Mondo, compared to any of the other designers. Maybe it was just the editing, but I know if *I* had one of my designs in front of an industry icon, and he/she gave a “*sigh* Oh boy…..” like Rowley did to Mondo, I would be shitting bricks.

Anonymous

I agree with everything you said although I thought Kenley’s jumper was cuter than you two did. Kenley’s model works the runway really well. I think half the judge love for the outfit was due to her model.

And you nailed everything about Mondo, including his over the top reaction when the judges didn’t like it. Mondo seems to be catching a bad case of Michael Costello-itis, which is not a good thing because he’s a better designer when he’s not being a drama queen.

Anonymous

One of the things about this challenge that seems unfair is that this seasonal challenge followed the 6 hr gellato and the clothes off the muse’s back (in summer) challenges. The gellato time frame almost guaranteed summery clothes. Getting clothes from someone outside on a summer day is most likely to generate summery clothes. Kenley and Mondo got summer sportswear so their challenge was, I think, a bit harder than with another season. Mondo chose to make shorts but tried something different for the top using a contrasting pattern. Kenley made another little dress … er a romper. I suspect that they were actually very close in the scoring. Fabric choice issues aside, both outfits were well made. The detail on pockets of Mondo’s shorts were excellent and would have taken my vote but were almost lost due to the flowy top.

RE: The scoring. I think you’re right that they were actually very close, despite Cynthia Rowley going after Mondo like a snake goes after a mouse.(Hyperbole is my friend) IIRC, Angela has said at least once this season that the scoring was really close. On Top Chef, Tom always mentions how even the tiniest detail can send someone home as the number of contestants dwindles. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if we always heard that on PR. It could certainly clear up some confusion for me.

Anonymous

I feel like Mondo was pretty understated, personality-wise, on his season. Is he famewhoring it up for the All Stars, or is he the same and everyone else is way toned down?

No disagreement with me here guys. Kenley sent down another twee retro look, which I don’t hate, but just doesn’t excite me–hey, I think she did better when she was ripping off Alexander McQuee. Mondo did his boxy top, big print thing again. Mondo can execute well, but his aesthetic . . . too often it’s a little junior or too costumey–there’s a lack of refinement.

Would like to have seen a collaboration between Rami and Mondo–Rami knows how to do refined and Mondo could handle the color issues.

I think the odds are stacked against her in this competition because she’s not getting judge love, but I’m starting to think Mila’s the best of the designers who are left. Except for the crotch pants, she has a very strong eye, knows her references and makes wearable clothes, but with an edge. But given the work of both Chapman and Isaac, I don’t think they’re going to go for what she does. The Duchess gets sportswear better.

Anonymous

With Kenley’s, all I could think about was how to handle the romper in the ladies room. First, you’d have to unzip it (if you can) and then try to keep it from falling to the floor while you do your business. Then you have to zip it back up. That’s quite a juggling act for one outfit.

Call me Bee

Mondo’s shorts would have benefitted greatly with a snappy, fitted top or shirt of some kind. Then the look woulda bee killer. As it is–it’s confusing–Betty Page hair and shorts with a Flashdance top. Love the shorts, though, and they are so Mondo.
Kenley’s certainly is Kenley and we’ve seen this in dress form a million times. As with Rami’s polka dots a few weeks ago–the seaming in the front drives me nuts. But again, matching thos dots would have taken a huge amount of time. Well–at least she’s true to her own esthetic….

I didn’t care one way or the other for either (and they were both so similar weren’t they?), but I did have a problem with the judges’ critiques of Mondo and “too many eras.” I find that hardline approach to what you can wear to be utterly vapid. Mixing eras is half the fun in fashion, incorporating older elements in new ways to create interesting and attractive outfits.

Mondo dressed a roller girl with money, and was it cliched Mondo, a basic “throw into the ring because I can’t be bothered?” Yes. But don’t give some horseshit line about how “well this is too 60s and this is too 50s and NEVER THE TWO SHALL CROSS.” This is not reenactment, it’s fashion, get a relevant opinion.

Anonymous

While I am not at all into rompers, I don’t think the issue is whether a real person can comfortably use the bathroom while wearing one. We’re talking fashion, not real-life issues. I don’t think Alexander McQueen was particularly worried about women being able to walk when he designed the hoof shoes, and people fell all over themselves. Seen quite a few jumpsuits on the runways, and I think they’re much harder to deal with realistically. So the “onesie” comments don’t hold much water, to me. I think the issue is more that it’s Kenley that’s producing the outfit. Every designer seems to have their particular fetish, be it Rami in his regular PR season with the draping that he would not stop doing, Mila with her 60’s mod looks, Mondo with his prints, Austin with his Laura Ashley romantic sensibilities, Jerrell with his inability to edit, etc., etc. Michael doesn’t seem to have any particular fashion fetish, and he’s now getting the criticism that they can’t tell his point of view. It seems to me that the criticism for Kenley and Mila is more pronounced because people don’t like their personalities more than because they keep doing the same thing.

There’s a lot of difference between designing an outfit for walking down a runway and tweaking it for the real world.

Lisa

That’s exactly what I think – folks don’t like the designer’s personality, so they automatically don’t like their clothes either.

DALE WITTIG

I wouldn’t really care if Kenley had done something similar before, but I’m not at all convinced that she has. I’ve searched around the Internet and have a pretty clear memory of what I’ve seen in the past, and I can’t find it. The collar is something she has done before and her over-reliance on polka dots was made clear in the episode; but to accuse her of copying herself or simply pulling some old trick out of her bag is unjust. To put it kindly: it’s the sort of thing Isaac Mizrahi would say. The thing I really like about Kenley’s clothes is that they fit the model, and I don’t just mean her body. She looks great in them. You see the woman or character, not just the clothes. I’ve seen photos of Kenley’s friends in pieces she’s made for them; and these ladies do not all have ideal frames and the clothes still look perfectly fitted and appropriate. I also like Mondo’s work… a lot. I felt a little dread and anticipation going into this episode knowing they’d be paired up in this bogus throw down. Fortunately, Mondo came through it all right, at least from a design perspective. This would be an excellent outfit for his sixty year old mother and it still looks fine on his young model. It was foolish of the judges to say it looked junior. I love the hazy dot pattern he selected for the top and I like the looseness of it. A little color for the shorts might have been better, but I liked the pattern he chose just fine. Again, it’s ideal for an older woman who doesn’t want to dress like her grandmother. For me these two are the outstanding designers amid a very talented and skillful crop.

To apply “justice” to an opinion on a blog about a reality television series is HILARIOUS.

DALE WITTIG

As you set yourselves up in judgement of these garments, then I think my wording was correct; but to be honest, with you guys, my only real aim here is to amuse, and so, thank you.

Anonymous

I didn’t care for Kenley’s jumpsuit because it’s too twee for my taste. But I could see Michelle Williams in it in a heartbeat. I actually liked the combination of prints of Mondo’s look. After revisiting it, though, I see it’s really not as interesting without the pop of yellow in the belt and bracelet.

I thought of Michelle Williams too, though that’s not really her color (that color looks good on Kenley’s model, though). That design? Pure Michelle Williams. And she would get slammed for it for being too twee.

Anonymous

I agree that both Kenley and Mondo fell into their default mode and designed versions of things they’d shown many times before. But that’s not surprising, with all these one day challenges. Please, more two day challenges!

Also, I have to say, I despise Cynthia Rowley as a judge. Her glassy-eyed viciousness really turns me off.

Anonymous

Kenley’s looks like something you’d wear at a slumber party for pre-teen girls. Yuck.

Anonymous

I have kind of a prediction. Since the prize would involve a store in Neimann Marcus, the winner will be either Mila or Michael C., although Austin may surprise us. I am just thinking about the style for the store. Nothing more. As for Jerrell, his win this week has been the first piece I actually liked. I am not sure if he’s going to keep it up though.

Anonymous

Mondo has been coddled and overpraised by his adorers to the point that he comes off downright spoiled.

Anonymous

One thing I still marvel at is Mondo’s ability to mix such wild prints and I’m trying to learn why it works. Didn’t TLo once say something like, at least in a particular example — and it might apply here — even though the colors in the pattern are the same, but the patterns themselves should clash, they work because one reads as one color (here, maybe the shorts read more gray) and the other reads another color (the top reads clearly white and black).

Anonymous

Its because he mixes prints that aren’t tonally similar. His first look from his S8 collection is an exemplary example, that one piece jumper over the blouse, the one piece print has more white in it that black, while the blouse was more black than white. When the scales are like that, more of one color in one and vice-versa, the prints meld well together. Gretchen attempted that same in her collection, but she tried with two very tonally similar looking brown prints, the diamond and giraffe ones, and they clashed and looked that same. I didn’t think it worked well for him here, I’m just not a fan of that cow print top.

Anonymous

And his weepiness over getting some minor criticism was more than a little eyeroll-inducing.

That was incredibly annoying. Of course, you knew the minute he said he had it in the bag that he didn’t.

Anonymous

I’m so glad you posted this. I was turned off by Mondo’s entitled and teary “but this was my mom’s b-day present” routine. And while I don’t think Kenley deserved the win, it was poor sportsmanship on his part to rain on her moment sobbing because the judges weren’t in love with his garments. Since he normally doesn’t act like this, I’ll chalk it up to his being stressed and/or overtired. But if he keeps it up, he and Michael can’t exit the show fast enough.

Anonymous

You might enjoy looking at the true masters of this art the Japanese. Great examples of wild print matching that is supremely elegant can be found in Ukiyoe prints, especially of the courtesans.

I liked Kenley’s romper very much. As TLo said, it was impeccably made, typical Kenley, juvenile, etc. Yes to all, and nothing wrong with that, imo (not to imply that TLo meant to say there was, because they didn’t as far as I could see.) The too juvenile, twee, etc., comments are made by many posters about Kenley’s designs as if its an insult to design such a frivolous, youthful, sassy garment. Kenley is not designing for the general female population…she has a specific type of girl that she aims towards. She likely wouldn’t choose the model she has because this romper doesn’t suit the model age/look…Kenley didn’t have a choice in that, but at least she tried to give her a more youthful appearance. Kenley could easily design for the Zoey Deschenel, Katy Perry, etc. types. I do agree that she pulled this one out of her repertoire, but who on here hasn’t? This met the requirements of the challenge and was cute, fun, fresh, and well made. It’d been my vote for the win.

Mondo…just made shorts last challenge. He really should have thought about switching things up a bit. The shorts he made are cute, but the top was rather simplistic. I agree with TLo that much of this look’s impact was due to the styling/accessories. He deserved middle of the pack on this one. The hairstyle he chose…seems more typical of Kenley, which I’d have thought he’d aim to distance himself from since he was directly competing with her. I like Mondo a lot…hope he makes it to the finish, but he doesn’t seem to have his A game going, and his emotions may get in his way.

Rebecca Schiff

As 5’1″ skinny chick, I really covet Kenley’s romper. It would look good on me. She, on the other hand, grates. I love Mondo, but I would get overwhelmed by all those prints. So I guess it depends on the customer.

Lisa

Hit edit and just erase it, as far as I know.

Anonymous

The only one who seemed to push himself in this challenge was Jerell. Mondo, Kenley, Rami, Mila, Austin just did another version of what they always do…..

Anonymous

Kenley’s was (to me) very Juniors. And not a juniors look that many of the juniors I know would buy as a romper, but they would buy as two pieces.

I thought the colors in her fabric sold the outfit.

Mondo’s shorts were nice, yes, and the styling of the model’s bangs was GENIUS. The top worked as part of the ensemble but I didn’t really like as a stand alone piece. Too midriff-baring in the front and with that odd floppy bit you couldn’t ever actually tuck in, in the back.

Anonymous

Kenley’s playsuit/romper was a joke. If she had kept the top as a blouse and done something else with the bottom….a skirt, trousers….but making it one piece, give me a break. I think I have this pattern from the 40’s in my old pattern collection. This is just too much of the same garment from Kenley and she gets praised for it because high-as-a-kite Cynthia Rowley Bachmann is on another planet where women dress TWEE AS FUCK, to quote you boys. Seriously. Michelle Williams is the only person on the planet who would probably wear this and then get ripped for being twee.

I loved Mondo’s shorts (and you can bite me, Cynthia), especially with the trim on the pockets and thought the fit and length worked wonderfully. I have issues with the top, however. I don’t like that particular polka dot where the dot is kind of raggedy. It reminds me of Betty Rubble. I wish he had made a more fitted top. This kind of billows around and goes nowhere.

Anonymous

Very astute analysis, TLo! To it, I can only add that my fifteen year old thought the romper was too young for her.

I couldn’t believe the judges like Kenley’s. That is the stupidest garment I have ever seen. No. Really.

Anonymous

Stupidest? Did you miss Jerrell’s tragedy last week? =)

snarly%snarly.com

Kenley’s wasn’t impeccably made. If it were impeccably made the seams would have lined up…as Ms. Chapman pointed out.

Anonymous

The strange thing sticking in my crawl about Mondo’s entry was his comment about “this is what I would wear” if I could attend my mother’s party. It hit me that the judges don’t think every gal wants to dress as a unisex little Pinoccio. I thought this competition was Mondo’s to lose (even though I’m a die-hard Austin fan), but they need to see more feminine design from him.

Anonymous

The romper would have been fine, or better than fine, if she had gone with a modern fabric or pattern, instead of being simply retro.

I wouldn’t say impeccably made, impeccably would be if she matched the polka dots which she should have at least on the top and the shorts, if not in the waist where they come together. I thought Mondo of all people was above camera drama, oh well

Anonymous

Just as the drama ramps up in the sewing room and on the runway, the claws come out with the Bitter Kittens!
Coincidence?

Now the fun REALLY starts!
Maybe some of ya’ll are just ready to throw PRAS under the bus with its rowdier companions, the ghosts of seasons past.

Anonymous

they called mondo’s outfit junior as it was standing next to a grown woman in a baby lilac polka dot romper, which they praised. michael & nina you kwazy kwackheads you–oh wait….

Susan Crawford

I understand Mondo and Michael have a kind of besties thing going in real life. Maybe hanging around with Michael has made Mondo more of a weepy little emotion fawn, but I didn’t get the drama over Mom’s birthday outfit. And I adore Mondo, but this was defiinitely NOT much of a stretch for him. The shorts were beautifully made, but the sack-like top didn’t do much for me.

Kenley? Pfooey. This afternoon, at my cousin’s house, we were looking at photos from our kid-years, and I swear to God, there is a photo of me – aged 4 – wearing Kenley’s romper on the beach at Montauk. Same Peter Pan collar; same little shorts; even the polka dots. Just too childish for words, and I really do NOT get the judge-love for this. Nothing original or new, and even Zooey Deschanel might feel a little immature in it. Hell, Elle Fanning would feel too mature for it!

If Mondo’s skewed “a little juniors” like one of the judges said, then Kenley’s was downright toddlers. But it could have been vamped up into some Vargas girl with red pumps, a baby bonnet, and a big red lollipop.
I really liked Mondo’s separates, but I don’t think that the shape of the top went with those fabulous shorts. Now if they were clamdiggers, it might be another story.
I have no problem with either entry, but I do think that Kenley’s was overpraised and Mondo’s over-criticized. But whatever; this is small potatoes after Austin’s look.

Anonymous

Okay, I just drove for eight hours and had dinner next to a screaming toddler.

Kenley’s look is impeccable? That pattern match sure doesn’t look impeccable to me. It looks a C- Home Ec project.

And if I see ONE MORE PETER PAN COLLAR from Kenley, I swear I’m going to hunt that cat throwing bitch down and claw her eyes out.

Anonymous

Time restraints, Rami’s Miss Piggy dress had the same problem, both that and this and otherwise perfectly executed except the matching up of the polka-dots. I can excuse it, with the short time limit I;m sure they’re more concerned with finishing the garment than matching the polka-dots. If it was stripes I couldn’t, stripes are easier to match up that polka-dots. If I remember right AJ’s Phillip Tracy hat dress was polka-dots, which were horribly mismatched, but other wise well executed also, he too coasted by.

Anonymous

I loved Kenley’s outfit, sporty looking and very casual, perfect captured summer. Like the sailor-looking collar. Yeah the polka dots don’t line up but she only had one day, I can excuse it, Rami’s Miss Piggy dress had the same issue in an otherwise perfectly executed look.

Wasn’t a fan of Mondo’s at all, the top looks like a couch pillow my grandmother had on the couch, especially with the cow print and non-shape. And the shorts are very unflattering, add to that the accessorizing looks forced, normally this would be executed perfectly and all come together, not this time. I also momentarily rolled my eyes at the tears. Frankly, I’m a tad surprised how I’m reacting to Mondo this season. In S8 I thought he was brilliant and carried himself with great maturity, even in defeat, this season I find him sort of annoying, I think the word I would use is boy-man, the maturity isn’t there, and neither is the brilliance of design. The only design I’ve like of his thus far was the black dress he made in the first challenge. I like Mondo, and hope he gets it together real soon, right now I feel his time is just about up.

THANK YOU. Mondo has been driving me crazy. He just isn’t anywhere near as talented as most of these people and he KNOWS it.

Anonymous

I really disagree that he is not talented. He has a real knack for putting color and shapes together, mixing unexpected patterns and shapes. And he is very talented at construction. So…where is his lack of talent? I don’t see that at all. And I really don’t think he KNOWS that he is not talented.

He sews nicely, but the adventurous, interesting construction just isn’t there–Cynthia Rowley’s reaction to the back of his top was exactly the same as mine. Basically, this about his pieces in muslin–zero structural, or proportional interest. I do always like his combination of prints, but I tend to get the distinct whiff of ‘stylist’ from Mondo, not designer.

I thought Mondo’s weepiness was either him drama-queening it for Lifetime, or the judges were particularly snide and douchey about the fact he designed it with his mother in mind, but it wasn’t shown on-camera. Who knows with these BM produced drama-fests?

I actually really love Kenley’s romper and would wear the shit out of it. *prepares to dodge cats flung in her direction*

Anonymous

Kenley’s look is not impeccable. Match up the polka dots on the seams and we’ll talk. I also think the length on the shorts are uneven. It looks home/crafty to me to be quite honest. I wasn’t enamored with Mondo’s look either. I think the heavy expectations for him to win this going in are messing with him. He’s the favorite now. In his season he was an underdog who came on like a freight train and then got slighted. Now, everyone is expecting him to win. It’s different.

I always tend to think there is producer manipulation going on w/in this show these days and I think axing Rami was all about giving Mondo a cakewalk in the finals. Let Mondo walk against Kenley and Jerrel and he’ll win with ease. If he was walking against Rami, Michael and Austin there would be a lot of criticism if Mondo won without dazzling.

I agree w/ dickylarue. I think it’s the usual setup by the producers to funnel the pre-determined winner into the finalist group.

Brenna McClellan

I’d just really like Kenley’s to have a belt or something.

Anonymous

The kids always seem to hit a wall of exhaustion and frustration at this point, don’t they? It seems the time allowed for each garment seems to get shorter and shorter. I thought both looks were fine and cute. Mondo just seemed totally tuckered out and maybe this accounted for the hysterics. I had that blouse of his in the 80s and wore it a lot! Kenley is Kenley. I tend to love her clothes because I love that style. Getting that kind of garment off in a bathroom is no problem when you are young — You simply take the entire thing off and hang it on a hook while business is taken care of. No need to drag it on the floor. And of course the window for being able to wear a super-short powder blue and white polka dot romper is very very tiny. Here’s to hoping the kids get more time and that we actually get to see the clothes! So much time spent in reaction shots when the stuff is coming down the runway … it’s really really annoying.

Love that you called out Mondo for the tears. Ultimately I felt like he was a victim of being on one of the ‘drama’ seasons where it propelled you further to be a character with a story more than anything else. The other designers were probably rolling their eyes right alongside us – I imagine. I didn’t mind Kenley’s look in that it did meet one of the unspoken challenges here: if you’re packing for a weekend, you don’t want a lot of pieces. I feel like she’s been consistent all season, but consistently Kenley. I have a soft spot for her, don’t ask me why, but I sincerely doubt she’s going to win.

Mondo, Mondo, Mondo. j’adore but. . . . One of the things I’ve loved most about him is that besides his HIV reveal I feel he has been relatively drama free. He has accepted his losses stoically, he has been pretty closed mouth in the work room and in his commentary. He has shown a very sweet sense of humor and oh yeah, the reason he is here–he has generally produced impeccable made clothing with a fun and colorful twist.
His tears and over the top reaction to this design’s critics because it was to honor his mother’s 60th birthday had me rolling my eyes with you and most of the commentariat. And being on the other side of sixty, I can tell you that even if I could ever have worn a design like that in my life I would never have styled it that way. The rolled bang in particular so says 40’s and early 50’s and when I was of an age where I would (if I could) have worn that was definitely in the 60’s!

Anonymous

SOOOO SICK of kenley’s aesthetic. Considering what Jerrell made in the time given versus what SHE made, for. shame. Hers was WILDLY overpraised. wildly.

Anonymous

I disagree that Kenley’s outfit is “impeccably made.”

First, she didn’t even attempt to line up the polka dots, so it’s a little strange in that way, but also the darts do not fit the model’s bust. The darts should end right before the fullness of the breast, and these darts continue up to the nipple area. That’s not flattering. Also the collar does not lie flat, and I don’t think that was intentional. It appears that it had to be eased to fit the neckline and couldn’t be eased without a bit of puckering that cause that collar to have a wave.

Anonymous

Well said. Three technical flaws do not equal impeccable. Quite peccable, if you ask me.

Cathy S

I can’t get behind the Kenley outfit at all. Peter Pan color, baby blue with polka dots, romper. A grown woman could not wear that without looking like a little kid, like the model does. It’s so juvenile. Ugh.

I see what you’re saying about Mondo’s outfit, but it’s cuter and less babyish than Kenley’s so it wins.

Anonymous

I preferred Kenley’s by a long shot. It looked fresh. I don’t think Mondo was crying “for the camera” But I DO think he needs to man up some

I didn’t notice the “nun bangs” on Mondo’s model before. We used to snicker at the nuns with those bangs when they first changed out of their old habits. Those bangs are still a ‘nun incognito’ give away.

Anonymous

I HAAAAATED Kenly’s ridiculous, and, well, borderline creepy romper. It’s not juvenile or youthful in a cute, quirky way. It literally looks like oversized baby clothes. In fact, at the time, my first thought was Baby Gap. I don’t agree that this is quintessential Kenley as we first knew Kenley. Her muse used to be more Zoey Deschenel I love retro quirky and less Nickelodeon I love age regression and pretending I’m twelve quirky. I don’t know how you boys can’t see this, as it’s been bugging me all season.

Anonymous

I totally bought Mondo’s tears and anguish. I think he was disappointed in himself and he knew his design was
not turning out the way he wanted. It looked like he was really stuck and struggling in the workroom.
(If you can believe the editing.)
I agree this week was not Mondo’s best, – at all. I disliked the top and all the accessories; the hair didn’t help.
We all have these days, – we just have to shred and start over.

Laura Osborne

I’ll be honest. I WOULD totally wear Kenley’s look. I would wear it and rock it. Mondo’s look is dreadfully styled and I don’t like it at all.

I keep seeing people saying that, so I have to ask-how old are you? Because I see this for someone very young, 14-20, and I would die laughing seeing it on a grown woman doing her banking business or such. I just don’t get it.

Anonymous

Mondo could use some help in the styling department like Rami. Kenley’s romper was cute. Sure, it’s repetitive and she played it safe, but she’s still in the competition.

I guess “impeccably made” means not lining up the polka dots properly.

Look, I wasn’t a big fan of Mondo’s look either — he just did the same shorts the very last challenge (better) and was a fool to show them twice in a row, but Kenley’s look was utter [email protected] from “we’ve seen it before from her” AND from the execution (re: those badly lined up polka dots). At least Mondo’s looks like it was made for someone over the age of 3.

Anonymous

I don’t get how they could criticize Austin for his old look and praise Kenly for something that looks equally old to me and far less wearable.